Spring

Each spring and fall we get calls to “fix my lawn!” Customers often have an idea of what they want: sod (I want it now) or seed (I want low cost). As horticultural professionals who want to provide the most sustainable solution and the best value over time, here are our “CUES” when recommending seed, sod, or something else entirely: Cost – While it’s true that seed is less expensive than sod, keep in mind…

We’ve finally seen the signs of spring here in Greater Boston and many of us are getting excited to start digging in the dirt and preparing our landscapes/properties for the warmer seasons ahead. Be smart about it though and check out our tips for lawn and garden care in April. 1. Monitor damage from winter, insects, and drought Winter: Inspect landscape lighting to make sure nothing was knocked over by snow. Lights that have…

Happy Spring! In case you’re a little behind because of this month’s rain, here are some tips for the spring organic garden: Lawns Rake excess leaves and thatch from lawns. If possible, delay aerating until fall, as it brings many weed seeds to the surface. If you can, wait until fall to start new lawns from seed to avoid weeds taking over. Sod lawns are ok. When forsythia blooms, apply corn gluten to lawns as…

After a record-breaking winter of snow, many Boston-area gardeners and homeowners are wondering what they will find when the snow and ice melt. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect for spring 2015, and how to repair winter damage in the landscape: Hardscape cracks – Paved surfaces like driveways, walks and patios may have cracked concrete and popped up paving stones. Pavers and stones can easily be re-leveled, but concrete may need to be patched…

Frost Warning for the Boston AreaTonight – Tips from Mahoney’s Nurseries: The weather forecast is calling for overnight temperatures in the low 30’s (possibly upper 20’s) and the probability of frost for many Massachusetts towns. If you have purchased and planted any tender plants, you’ll want to protect your investment by moving them inside if at all possible, or covering them if they’re already planted. It’s always best to move plants inside (especially tender plants…

Gardening, done well, is at least 50% preparation. Once you realize what you should have done, it’s probably too late for this year. So, having a garden journal is invaluable to for successful planning for next year. Here are a few things to look out for this spring, and steps to make next year even better: A Blank Slate – By fall when the bulb catalogues arrive, it’s easy to forget where you planted what. Take…

Two-plus months in to the year, how are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions? Luckily, the gardening year in the Boston area is just starting, so you have a chance to start off on the right foot with your outdoor plans. Doing a thorough and careful spring clean up lays the groundwork (no pun intended!) for a year of trouble-free gardening: Prune dead and broken branches from ornamental trees and shrubs, repairing any snow…

This weekend promises to be beautiful weather for some final gardening chores. Guarantee yourself weeks of spring blooms by making “bulb lasagna.” Line the bottom of a 14″ or deeper container with gravel for drainage. Then layer potting soil and bulbs in 3 layers, starting with the largest bulbs on the bottom. Choose bulbs which will flower at different times to make your planting really work. Keep in mind that there will likely be some…

I had a brief window this afternoon between my last appointment and daycare pick-up, so I paid a visit to Mount Auburn Cemetary in Cambridge. Opened in 1831, Mount Auburn bills itself as the oldest large-scale, designed landscape in the United States. It is a great place to see mature specimen trees, and much of the plant material is labeled. It’s also a quiet oasis right across the river from hectic Boston — this afternoon,…

Each spring and fall we get calls to “fix my lawn!” Customers often have an idea of what they want: sod (I want it now) or seed (I want low cost). As horticultural professionals who want to provide the most sustainable solution and the best value over time, here are our “CUES” when recommending seed, sod, our something else entirely: Cost – While it’s true that seed is less expensive than sod, keep in mind…